Statement attributable to the UNODC Spokesperson on the passage of a Uruguayan bill regulating cannabis

VIENNA, 11 December 2013- Confronting illicit drugs and their impact is dependent on pursuing a comprehensive response to the drug problem based on health, long-term security, development and institution-building.

Just as illicit drugs are everyone's shared responsibility, there is a need for each country to work closely together and to jointly agree on the way forward for dealing with this global challenge.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is in agreement with the statement issued today by the International Narcotics Control Board, the guardians of the international drug control conventions, and take note of the conclusion that:

"…the legislation to legalize production, sale and consumption of cannabis for non-medical purposes approved yesterday in Uruguay contravenes the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, to which Uruguay is a party."

It is unfortunate that, at a time when the world is engaged in an ongoing discussion on the world drug problem, Uruguay has acted ahead of the special session of the UN General Assembly planned for 2016.